A Quick Word on AK’s, the 5.45x39mm AK-74 Rifle, and the Kalashnikov I Would Like to See.

Over the last few years, I’ve been fortunate to own a number of top notch semi-auto pre-ban AK’s (AKM and AK-47 rifles) by some of the best makers. I’ve owned several Hungarian pre-ban underfolders and fixed-stock models made by FEG, a couple of Yugoslavian under-folders and fixed-stock models made by Zastava, and a couple of fixed-stock Polytech Legend Series AK’s, made in China. All have been chambered in 7.62x39mm, a caliber I really happen to like. Every AK I’ve owned has shot well, been combat accurate, totally reliable, and, of course, extremely durable. There’s just something about taking an AK to the range, and firing off a few hundred rounds at one’s leisure that’s hard to put into words. I’d say it’s both fun and relaxing, but, as anyone who has done this very thing at one time or another knows, that doesn’t really completely describe the experience.

Anyway, there is one AK type that I’ve wanted for awhile, but that is currently unavailable in this country. In a sentence, I would like to own a…

totally authentic looking semi-auto AK-100 series AK-74, that is as accurate to the military original as is legally possible, and that encompasses all visible aspects of the rifle–including the dimples on the stamped receiver(in the correct place–above the magazine well).

I’ve never actually fired a 5.45x39mm rifle, but I’ve only heard good things about the round. It has a very low recoil impulse, lower than the 5.56x45mm, and due to the velocity and design of the bullet, shoots flat and has excellent stopping power for its size.

The reason this particular Kalashnikov type isn’t currently available is because the Russian manufacturers/suppliers, particularly Izhmash and Saiga, won’t release a semi-auto 5.45x39mm rifle with a receiver that is accurate to the military original. Apparently, they don’t want to release the same type of receiver in the same caliber that is currently being used by the Russian military. Because of this, our domestic AK smiths don’t have a military-accurate platform to start with. I would like to see this change. Perhaps we can email these guys, or call and email the importer(s)/builders(like Kalashnikov USA, for instance), so we can get our hands on these in the future, and get some military-accurate semi-auto AK-100 Series AK-74 copies built.

That would be nice.

A Quick Word on AK’s, the 5.45x39mm AK-74 Rifle, and the Kalashnikov I Would Like to See.
by David Crane

About David Crane

David Crane started publishing online in 2001. Since that time, governments, military organizations, Special Operators (i.e. professional trigger pullers), agencies, and civilian tactical shooters the world over have come to depend on Defense Review as the authoritative source of news and information on "the latest and greatest" in the field of military defense and tactical technology and hardware, including tactical firearms, ammunition, equipment, gear, and training.